The ancients counted passing the imperial exams as one of life's great joys.
Tips
history
From Wang Dingbao's 《唐摭言》 (Five Dynasties): the scholar He Fu, having passed the exam, wrote 金榜题名墨上新 - "on the golden roll, the ink on my name is fresh". The 金榜 was the gold-inked list of successful imperial-exam candidates.
culture
Still live today - widely used to wish students good luck in the gaokao (college entrance exam). Traditionally grouped with 洞房花烛 ("lit bridal chamber", marriage) as the two great joys of a man's life.
